NORTH SALT LAKE — Kids used words like “awesome,” “nice,” and “brilliant,” to describe their teachers at a banquet Friday night, May 3, to honor them.

One girl even described her teacher as “supercalifragilisticexpiaidocious.”

Students belonging to Abundant Life Assembly of God honored their teachers with a trophy, certificate, dinner they served and, of course, their accolades at the annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet

Each year, students in the congregation from kindergarten through 12th grade video-tape their thoughts on what makes their teacher special, to be played back at the banquet held at the church, 410 N. Main, North Salt Lake.

And each year, teachers and church members who attend can count on some funny, witty and touching sentiments from the kids.

Gage Picard described Layton Christian Academy Coach Bobby Porter as being “father-like to me,” talking the young man out of leaving school when he was contemplating it.

Olivia Sheppick marveled that her teacher, Nicholas Baker, could take a class of 31 students at Foxboro Elementary School and teach them, “so they succeed.”

And Henry Heidrich said his Muir Elementary School Principal Jan Rawlins “inspired me not talk as much in class.”

“It’s “really good teachers,” who bless the lives of their students, Utah State Board of Education Member Kim Burningham told those in attendance.

“Everyone of you had a teacher in your life that did something good for you,” he said. “Some teachers taught me things I didn’t want to learn. One teacher pushed me, but I didn’t realize it until later,” he said.

Speaking of how today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, Burningham said, “Our whole culture depends on teachers, and we survive on those students’ achievements as they grow.”

“Tonight we thank you for something you’ve already done — you touched one of our students,” the Rev. Alex Lucero, pastor of Abundant Life told the teachers.

He likened kids to a time capsule, “that you put stuff in and open up later to see if it’s valuable.”

When it comes to human time capsules (students), “what’s inside is much more precious, much more valuable,” he said.

“It’s amazing work you’ve done. Each year a teacher adds a little bit to the time capsule,” Lucero said. “The problem is they (students) don’t realize or appreciate it at the time.

“I wish every student understood how valuable their education is,” he said. “I wish every teacher had a class that would greet their them with the words, ‘Good morning wise master.’ I wish every student had a teacher who saw them as a work in progress.”

Lucero told the teachers they were being honored because they touched the lives of the students at Abundant Life, “and it’s a ripple effect felt by their parents and by us at the church.”